The Ring Road system was set up in 1964 as an attempt to guide motorists around Sydney. These 3 ring roads supplemented the then 10 year old National Route system which were all radial routes. Ring Roads carried a blue and white circular shield with a dotted outline. The first signs were erected on 28 August 1964 (see photo).

The Ring Roads lasted only 10 years before being replaced by corresponding repeated digit state routes in 1974. That means that Ring Road 1 was replaced by State Route 11, RR3 by SR33, RR5 by SR55. This pattern of numbering was seen fit for the newly-declared Cumberland Hwy in 1988. It's SR77 designation suggested it would have inherited the RR7 designation had that system still existed. The basic Ring Road idea was revived somewhat 20 years after its demise in the form of Metroads. The Metroads, however, also included radial routes.

Signage of the Ring Roads was apparently quite prominent and many older residents (inlcuding my parents) still refer commonly to Ring Road 3 (now Metroad 3). It is perhaps the first example of the preference of route number over route name. No signage remnants still remain, not surprising since the routes were officially deocmmissioned in 1974, however, Ring Road 1 sigange was still prominent until 1992 when the introduction of the Metroad system made an extensive sign replacement program necessary. One Ring Road 1 trailblazer - albeit an unusual version - survived on Wattle St, Ultimo until 1999 when Bradley Torr was able photograph it.